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Jul 30, 2024 | 
asia.nikkei.com | Gwen Robinson |Nikkei Asia Editor-at-large
BANGKOK -- Stunning gains by resistance forces in Myanmar and resulting shifts in territorial control between key armed groups have prompted concerned countries -- notably China, the U.S., Thailand and Japan -- to recalibrate their stances toward the military regime. Ahead of Wednesday's expiry of the current six-month period of emergency rule in Myanmar, pressure has intensified on regime head Min Aung Hlaing for a leadership change and implementation of long-promised elections.
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Apr 6, 2024 | 
asia.nikkei.com | Gwen Robinson |Nikkei Asia Editor-at-large
BANGKOK -- The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Julie Bishop, a former Australian foreign minister, as his next special envoy for Myanmar. The position has been vacant since Noeleen Heyzer, a former U.N. undersecretary-general, left the post after 20 months in June 2023. Bishop's appointment comes amid growing calls from key U.N. member countries for more international action amid the Myanmar military's savage campaign to eradicate dissent.
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Feb 13, 2024 | 
asia.nikkei.com | Gwen Robinson |Nikkei Asia Editor-at-large
BANGKOK -- The announcement of sweeping conscription rules by Myanmar's military government has sparked a social media backlash and fresh calls by resistance forces for popular support. The move also marks a turning point for the military, which has portrayed itself as a professional fighting force but has seen accelerating defeats and desertions in recent months.
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Jan 31, 2024 | 
asia.nikkei.com | Francesca Regalado |Gwen Robinson |Nikkei Asia Editor-at-large
BANGKOK -- Myanmar’s military regime said Wednesday that it will extend a state of emergency imposed three years ago, when it ousted the country's elected government, as rebel ethnic groups gain ground in a renewed offensive. The extension is the fifth since the regime seized power on Feb. 1, 2021. The decision by the National Defense and Security Council grants Senior Gen.
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Jan 31, 2024 | 
asia.nikkei.com | Francesca Regalado |Gwen Robinson |Nikkei Asia Editor-at-large
BANGKOK -- Myanmar’s military regime said Wednesday that it will extend a state of emergency for another six months through July 31, the fifth such extension since it ousted the country’s elected government three years ago as rebel ethnic groups gain ground in a renewed offensive. The decision by the National Defense and Security Council grants Senior Gen.
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Jan 31, 2024 | asia.nikkei.com | Francesca Regalado |Gwen Robinson |Nikkei Asia Editor-at-large
BANGKOK -- Myanmar’s military regime said Wednesday that it will extend a state of emergency for another six months through July 31, the fifth such extension since it ousted the country’s elected government three years ago as rebel ethnic groups gain ground in a renewed offensive. The decision by the National Defense and Security Council grants Senior Gen.
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Dec 27, 2023 | 
asia.nikkei.com | Gwen Robinson |Nikkei Asia Editor-at-large
TOKYO -- William "Bill" Granger, an Australian chef, restaurateur and food writer, died on Christmas Day at the age of 54 in a London hospital with his family by his bedside. Granger shot to fame after dropping out of a Melbourne art school and opening a cafe named "bills" in inner-city Sydney in 1993 at the age of 22.
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Aug 11, 2023 | 
asia.nikkei.com | Gwen Robinson |Nikkei Asia Editor-at-large
MAE SOT, Thailand -- Leaders of the Karen National Union, one of Myanmar's oldest and largest ethnic armed groups, have issued a fresh challenge to the military regime, saying they no longer recognize an earlier peace agreement and will intensify their resistance while strengthening alliances with other groups. Since Myanmar's armed forces seized power on Feb.
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Aug 8, 2023 | 
asia.nikkei.com | Gwen Robinson |Nikkei Asia Editor-at-large
BANGKOK -- A key Singaporean bank is cutting off counterparts in Myanmar, ending correspondent bank relationships in a move that could significantly restrict the military regime's access to the global financial system. In a confidential note sent to Myanmar banks last week, United Overseas Bank said it would restrict all incoming and outgoing payments to and from Myanmar accounts, allowing funds to be moved only between accounts held with the bank.
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Aug 2, 2023 | 
asia.nikkei.com | Gwen Robinson |Nikkei Asia Editor-at-large
BANGKOK -- If Aung San Suu Kyi had the right to speak out, it is unlikely she would thank Myanmar's military regime for its decision to release her from a harsh prison into a state-managed residence and reduce her 33-year combined sentence by a paltry six years. Yet headlines declaring the ousted leader had been "pardoned" dominated media coverage on Tuesday, while some analysts suggested the military-backed State Administration Council (SAC) had suddenly softened its position.
